Water & Oceans

"A flame retardant has been discovered in sediment of the Great Lakes for the first time, and researchers say it may be here to stay."

"A federal judge has dismissed Des Moines Water Works' lawsuit against drainage districts in three northern Iowa counties the utility claimed are funneling high levels of nitrates into the Raccoon River, a source of drinking water for 500,000 central Iowa residents."

"In a stunning reversal, Gov. Larry Hogan (R) on Friday called for lawmakers to pass legislation permanently banning the natural gas drilling technique known as 'fracking' in Maryland."

"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on Friday it had awarded $100 million to upgrade Flint, Michigan's drinking water infrastructure to address a crisis that exposed thousands of children to lead poisoning."

"President Donald Trump is proposing to cut or eliminate several key federal infrastructure programs despite repeated vows to increase spending on roads, utilities and other vital facilities."

"No agency in the federal government fared worse under Thursday’s proposed budget than the Environmental Protection Agency."

"The Great Barrier Reef in Australia has long been one of the world’s most magnificent natural wonders, so enormous it can be seen from space, so beautiful it can move visitors to tears. But the reef, and the profusion of sea creatures living near it, are in profound trouble."

"Demolishing dams helps many fish but threatens waters where some native species shelter from drought and invasive predators"

"With California now on track to have the rainiest year in its history—on the heels of its worst drought in 500 years—the state has become a daily reminder that extreme weather events are on the rise. And the recent near-collapse of the spillway at California’s massive Oroville Dam put an exclamation point on the potentially catastrophic risks.